Easy Maintenance Flying Board

ABSTRACT

A water propelled flying board has a left and a right thrust nozzle. Each thrust nozzle has a knuckle joint attachment to a pressure water manifold. The thrust nozzles can be independently swiveled forward, backward, sideways or other directions relative to the rider. A left foot and a right foot platform are independently secured to the respective nozzle inlet to allow the rider to go toe up of toe down, they can rotate 360 degrees independently with each foot. This enables trick flying maneuvers including spinning like a top. The knuckle joint can be either a hose segment or a bearing. The left and right foot platforms or center blocks can be locked together. The base of the Y joint central housing can have a bendable hose segment.

This is a non-provisional patent application claiming priority fromprovisional patent application Nos. 62/121,073 filed Feb. 26, 2015 and62/018,268 filed Jun. 27, 2014.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to an improved simple design for a waterpropelled flying board, wherein the basic design is described in pendingU.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/066,997 and provisional applicationNos. 62/018,268 and 62/121,073, all of which are incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The above referenced patent applications describe a flying board whereinthe left and the right lift nozzles can be independently rotated forwardand backward relative to the central Y housing that receives the highpressure water (from a jet ski).

The present design uses a new and non-obvious twistable rubber hose or abushing assembly that is easily replaced after wear and tear. There isalso disclosed a least expensive method of plastic manufacturing toprovide a complete system. Some parts are roto molded (rotationalmolding). Metal screws and bolts thread into brass inserts for allcouplings. A newly available competitor's model uses an expensive pairof watertight bearings to allow the powered nozzles to rotate. Thepresent invention replaces those bearings with bendable rubber hoses.This greatly reduces the product cost and reduces maintenance issueswith bearing replacements as sand always exists in the water. Thus, anybearing in a system like this will eventually wear out. The presentinvention does have one main inlet bearing. But the two foot platforms,one on each arm of the Y tube, now rotate using a new, useful, andnon-obvious hose segment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The main aspect of the present invention is to provide a water propelledflying board that has an independently rotatable nozzle under the leftand the right foot platform.

Another aspect of the present invention is to manually lock or unlockthe foot platforms.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a low cost rubberhose bearing which is easily replaced to take the majority of the wearand tear of the rotational friction of the foot platforms under power.

Another aspect of the present invention is to use some roto molded partswith metal connectors.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a custom builthose to enable both a twisting and a bending motion.

Other aspects of this invention will appear from the followingdescription and appended claims, reference being made to theaccompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein likereference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a flyer maneuvering an easymaintenance swivel platform flying board.

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of a flyer shown doing tricks on theeasy maintenance swivel platform flying board.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a hose bearing embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the hose Y pipe assembly.

FIG. 5A is a front elevation view of the hose Y pipe embodiment goingstraight up.

FIG. 5B is a front elevation view of the hose Y pipe embodiment goingstraight down.

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the hose embodiment showing the tensionstraps 2, 3.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of the hose.

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of one embodiment assembledwhich uses a plastic bearing.

Before explaining the disclosed embodiment of the present invention indetail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in itsapplication to the details of the particular arrangement shown, sincethe invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminologyused herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring first to FIGS. 1, 2 the jet ski JS floats on the water WA andpowers the hose 2. In FIG. 1 the rider R has his left foot toe up TU andhis right foot toe down TD. Thus, water thrust 1600 could force his leftshoulder back while water thrust 1601 could force his right shoulderforward. The rider R spins in a counter clockwise CC pattern. The riderR depicted in dots RD shows him rotationally three fourths thru his full360° rotation while travelling up U.

In FIG. 2 the rider R starts high above the water WA. Then rider R divesdown D while spinning counter clockwise CC as shown by rider RD. Thenrider R surfaces S and proceeds horizontally as shown by rider RH. Allthis time he is rotating counter clockwise CC. He could reverse hisrotation by changing his toe up/down positions.

In FIG. 3 the Y Pipe Hose 348 can be made completely from silicone andfiber or other synthetic rubber.

FIG. 6 shows how crisscrossed elastic bands 1300 (attaches at 501, 500),1301 (attaches at 500, 501) urge the left and right foot platforms L401, R 401 to be parallel. Thus, the rider must push harder and harderas he increases the angular opposition between the left and the rightplatforms. This feature also protects the rider from injury. The elasticbands 1300, 1301, could be mounted parallel. The tension bands can bereplaced by elastic metal springs.

Referring next to FIGS. 3, 4 a flying board 300 has a left foot platformL401 which can bend and twist independently from a right foot platformR401. A lock assembly 4 can be attached to the platform or the centerblocks and it allows the rider to lock the left and right foot platformstogether or the left and right center blocks 311A and 311B together. Astabilizing assembly 301 keeps the nozzles 320, 321 from flaring in orout or sideways and it allows the nozzles to move 360 degrees. Thecenter blocks 311A, 311B are supported by the Y pipe assembly 330 andare able to rotate. The (metal) arms 303, 304, 305, 306 attach to thefoot platforms via bolts (not shown) and anchors 307, 308, 309, 310respectively. Design choice could add more or less arms. Brackets 322attach to the respective foot platforms.

The Y pipe assembly 330 comprises a (plastic or metal) stiff centralbase built into the silicone hose 331. The left branch comprises a hosesegment 334 connected to the port 332. The Y Pipe Hose 348 can be a onepiece silicone hose or it can be made from other synthetic rubber. Thehose can have metal or plastic parts built into it. The arrows B showhow hose segment 334 can bend. The arms of the Y Pipe Hose are one piece335,334, and 332 can twist or bend. Hollow arrows T show how hosesegment 334 can twist. Hose segment 335 bends downward to support thenozzle 320. Clamps 337 with bolts 338 secure the hose segment 334 to therespective foot platform.

A hose segment 340 attaches to the bottom port 339 of the central base331. This hose segment 340 can bend 180 as shown in FIGS. 4, 5B. It canbe about six inches long or longer. This bending allows the rider R todo back flips or move forward or backward or sideways.

A Threaded mender 342 connect the base of the Y pipe Hose 341 and theother end of the mender 345 connects to the fire hose 2 and is held onby metal clamps (not shown). The mender section 344 can spin 360degrees. A spinning type bearing (can be made with or without ballbearings) 344 allows lower threaded pipe 345 to spin relative to top342. Support rods or cables 350, 351, can be SS. They attach therespective boot platform to the collar 346 343, thereby taking the (250pound) weight of the hose 2 off the Y pipe assembly 330. FIG. 5A showsthe rider R going straight up with hose segment 340 straight. FIG. 5Bshows the rider R going straight down with hose segment 340 bent 180degrees.

The hoses are made preferably of silicone rubber and polyester plainwoven, used as a reinforcement ply. Other choices of synthetic rubberare equivalents.

FIG. 7 shows hose segment 348 with a silicone rubber body RB reinforcedby polyester plain woven fibers PPW.

Nominal thickness T—ranges from 0.10 inches to 0.50 inches.

Referring next to FIG. 8 a plastic bearing flying board is numbered 800.The parts are described below. The boards 400 and 800 perform the same.

The flying board 400 has a left foot platform L401 and a right footplatform R401.

Part Number Description 101 Right Platform (rider facing out) 102 LeftPlatform

-   1. Platform—Binding (Boots) fasten on top of the Platform 101, 102    to enable a person to stand and have his feet fasten on top of the    Platform. Each Platform can rotate with the Nozzle 6 to provide more    maneuverability, more tricks and more spins than when the Platforms    101, 102 are locked together.-   2. Platform Indented Surface—This is where the Latch Assembly 4    fastens on to the Platform with inserted screw threads.-   3. Platform Mount—Six inserted screw threads to fasten Bindings    (Boots) with screws to the platform. There can be less or more screw    threads removed or added.-   4. Latch Assembly 4 comprises—4 a, 4 b, 4 c, 4 d and 4 f. The latch    assembly locks and unlocks the platforms. This allows the person to    have individual foot control or locks both platforms together. There    can be one or more screws that fasten the Latch on the Platform.-   4 a. Latch Cover-   4 b. Latch Receiver-   4 c. Latch Adjustable Tension Screw-   4 d. Latch Handle-   4 e. Latch Plate-   5. Threaded Inserts—4 threaded brass screw inserts underneath the    Platform to allow Platform Clamps to be fasten on to the Platform.    There can be less or more screws removed or added. There are    threaded screw inserts in the Platform for all screws and bolts,    which are preferably brass or SS.-   6. Nozzle—The Nozzle is where the Water releases and provides lift    for the Skyblade.-   7. Tube Nozzle—The Tube Nozzle holds the Y pipe and the Nozzle    together.-   8. Upper Bearing—It fits between the Tube Nozzle and Y-Pipe. An    inexpensive replaceable bearing that the Y-Pipe and Tube Nozzle    rotate on, so that it can prevent wear and adds life to both parts.    This is a key feature of the preferred embodiment.-   9. Upper Thrust Bearing—Fits between the Y-Pipe and Tube Nozzle. It    is an inexpensive replaceable bearing that the Y Pipe and Tube    Nozzle rotate against, so that it helps prevent wear and adds life    to both parts.-   10. Upper Thrust Bearing—This bearing is cut in half, the two halves    fit between the Y-Pipe and Platform Clamp. It is an inexpensive    replaceable bearing that the Y Pipe, Platform, and Platform Clamp    rotate against, so that it helps prevent wear and adds life to all    three parts.-   11. Clamp Platform—Four bolts fastens each Clamp Platform to hold    the Y-Pipe and the Nozzle to the Platform, this provides easily    removal and allows the parts to be put back together easily. It also    provides easy cleaning to remove sand and debris or replacing    inexpensive bearings and thrust bearings in minutes.-   12. Y-Pipe—The Y-Pipe splits or channels the water to the two    Nozzles. The Y-Pipe can rotate 180 degrees.-   13. Nut Plate Threaded and Screws—Allows the Tube Bottom to fasten    to the bottom of the Y-Pipe.-   14. Tube Bottom—Fastens onto the bottom of the Y-Pipe. Provides the    Clamp to hold together the Y-Pipe and Hole Adapter.-   15. Quick Release Clamp—A quick release Clamp that holds or releases    the Tube Bottom and Hose Adapter. This enables a user to quickly put    together to operate or take apart for ease of portability.-   16. Lower Bearing—Fits between the Tube Bottom and Hose Adapter. An    inexpensive replaceable bearing that is placed between the Hose    Adapter and Tube Bottom to prevent wear and adds life to both parts.    The Hose Adapter rotates 360 degrees inside the Clamp and Tube    Bottom.-   17. Quick Release Pin—Two pins that quick releases or hold the clamp    together.-   18. Hose Adapter—The Hose Adapter Spins 360 degrees and is inserted    into the Tube Bottom, plus it is held together by the Quick Release    Clamp. The hose 2 is fastened to the other end of the hose adapter    18. The end of the Hose Adapter where the Hose fits on has an    indentation to allow a clamp or clamps to hold the hose 2 onto the    hose adapter 18.-   19. Lower Thrust Bearing—Fits between the Tube Bottom and Hose    Adapter. An inexpensive replaceable bearing that the Hose Adapter    rotate against, so that it helps prevent wear and adds life to the    Hose Adapter and Tube Bottom.-   20. Lower Thrust Bearing—Fits between the Hose Adapter and the Quick    Release Clamp. An inexpensive replaceable bearing that the Hose    Adapter rotate against, so that it helps prevent wear and adds life    to the Hose Adapter and Clamp.-   21. Hose adapter recess.-   22. Tip of hose adapter.

Rotational Molding (BrE molding) involves a heated hollow mold which isfilled with a charge or shot weight of material. It is then slowlyrotated (usually around two perpendicular axes) causing the softenedmaterial to disperse and stick to the walls of the mold. In order tomaintain even thickness throughout the part, the mold continues torotate at all times during the heating phase and to avoid sagging ordeformation also during the cooling phase. The process was applied toplastics in the 1940s but in the early years was little used because itwas a slow process restricted to a small number of plastics. Over thepast two decades, improvements in process control and developments withplastic powders have resulted in a significant increase in usage.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to thedisclosed embodiments, numerous modifications and variations can be madeand still the result will come within the scope of the invention. Nolimitation with respect to the specific embodiments disclosed herein isintended or should be inferred. Each apparatus embodiment describedherein has numerous equivalents.

I claim:
 1. A flying water board comprising: a central housing having ahigh pressure water inlet on a base pipe; said central housing having aleft and a right elbow stemming from the base pipe; a swivel joint oneach left and right elbow; a thrust nozzle mounted to each swivel jointat distal end thereof; a left foot platform having a mounting meansfunctioning to secure it to the left thrust nozzle where tilting theleft foot platform swivels the left thrust nozzle; a right foot platformhaving a mounting means functioning to secure it to the right thrustnozzle where tilting the right foot platform swivels the right thrustnozzle independently from the left foot thrust nozzle; and said swiveljoint comprising a flexible hose means functioning to bend and twistwhile allowing high pressure water to flow there through.
 2. The flyingwater board of claim 1, wherein the base pipe further comprises a hosesegment above the high pressure water inlet, thereby enabling the basepipe to bend.
 3. The flying water board of claim 2, wherein the highpressure water inlet further comprises a rotating bearing connection toa hose.
 4. The flying water board of claim 3, wherein the thrust nozzlefurther comprises a solid nozzle with a connection means functioning toremovably connect to the foot platform.
 5. The flying water board ofclaim 4, wherein each flexible hose means further comprises a clampmeans functioning to connect to the foot platform.
 6. The flying waterboard of claim 1 further comprising a lock means functioning to lock theleft foot platform to the right foot platform.
 7. The flying water boardof claim 6 further comprising a spring means functioning to urge each ofthe left and right foot platforms to a neutral position, parallel toeach other, above their respective swivel joints.
 8. The flying waterboard of claim 7, wherein the spring means further comprises acrisscrossed or parallel pair of elastic bands attached to an undersideof the left and right foot platforms.
 9. A flying water boardcomprising: a water hose inlet to a base of a Y housing; a rotatingbearing on the base of the Y bracket mounted on tip of the water hoseinlet; said Y housing having a left and right arm extending from thebase of the Y housing; a bearing connected to a distal end of each armof the Y housing which is in turn connected to a thrust nozzle; a leftfoot platform connected to the left bearing along with its respectivethrust nozzle; a right foot platform connected to the right bearingalong with its respective thrust nozzle; a manual latch locking andunlocking the left to the right foot platform; and wherein a rider canpoint his left and his right toes up down or any direction and rotatethe respective boot platform forward and backward and sideways and otherdirections.
 10. The flying platform of claim 9 further comprising aspring means functioning to urge the left and the right foot platform toa neutral position on top of their respective bearings.
 11. The flyingplatform of claim 1, wherein the left foot platform mounting meansfurther comprises a left center block and the right foot platformmounting means further comprises a right center block.
 12. The flyingplatform of claim 11 further comprising a lock means functioning to lockthe left center block to the right center block.
 13. The flying waterboard of claim 7, wherein the spring means further comprises a springattached to an underside of the left and right foot platforms.
 14. Theflying water board of claim 1, wherein the central housing furthercomprises a construction of a flexible material.
 15. The flying waterboard of claim 14, wherein the flexible material further comprisesrubber.